Groups Disagree With AAA Letter

Student Leaders Defend Epps

Student leaders of some campus ethnic organizations distanced themselves yesterday from a letter, written by the co-presidents of the Asian American Association, which called Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III "insensitive."

Representatives of five such groups, including four of AAA's sister groups, said they were unaware of the letter before its release and disagreed with its major charges.

In the letter, released to The Crimson and the administration Wednesday, Joan R. Cheng '95 and Haewon Hwang '95 alleged that Epps was insensitive to Asian students, and criticized both the Dean's Handbook on Race Relations and his decision to commission an independent race relations study.

Students who have dealt personally with Epps strongly challenged the letter's central allegation that the Dean lacks "true concern for students."

"I'm very supportive of Dean Epps," said Austin W. So '96, conference chair of AAA and political chair of the Korean Students Association. "He's very caring about students."

Mona M. Patel '94, president of the South Asian Association, said that Epps shows concern for organizations as well as individuals.

"My dealings with Dean Epps have always been fine. He has always been very open to hearing the concerns of the South Asian Association," Patel said.

Several leaders of Asian organizations said that the letter did not represent the views of campus ethnic groups, despite Cheng and Hwang's assertion that the issues raised were "considered and discussed for most of the year."

Cynthia S. Wu '94, co-president of the Chinese Students Association, said "the issue of Dean Epps" was raised "briefly" at the last monthly meeting of the campus' 10 Asian organizations.

Student leaders, who did not attend the meeting, were unaware that Cheng and Hwang were writing the letter, and expressed displeasure yesterday at its content and tone.

"I thought [the letter] was really inflammatory," said Sandra Chang '93, former president of the Chinese Students Association. "I think the letter was a last-ditch effort to do something big at the end of the year to make a statement. I have no recollection of any students receiving insensi- tive remarks from Dean Epps."

So also stressed that Cheng and Hwang do not represent the opinions of all AAA members.

"I don't think any officer [of AAA] can say they represent all of the AAA, and especially all the Asian community on campus," So said."

Leaders contacted did not share Cheng and Hwang's criticisms of the newly published Handbook on Race Relations.